Seating device

ABSTRACT

A seating device has a body providing an integral handle and a substantially planar seat pad. The seat pad is arranged with two short sides and two long sides. The seating device also has leg members at peripheral locations of the body adjacent both the long and the short sides. The leg members are extended out from the body to provide support for elevation of the seat pad.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO EARLIER APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to GB patentapplication no. 1407900.8 filed May 5, 2014, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a seating device, in particular adevice for provision of temporary seating; more particularly but notexclusively a portable seating solution such as for use in a line.

BACKGROUND

Increasing affluence and consumer choice in many countries has led toincreasing pressures on goods, services or entertainments, as well asrising levels of unfitness.

As a consequence there is often over-subscription of popularentertainments or services and users are forced to compete for receiptof such goods, services or entertainments.

A raised standard of comfort expectation conflicts with a need forpatience in receipt, and often users endure discomfort in lines or otherwaiting scenarios, for example being required to stand in line forexcessive lengths of time when not physically able.

PRIOR ART

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in anattempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

Chinese utility model CN 201 814 170 (CHUANWEN) discloses a foldingstool, belongs to the field of furniture and mainly solves the problemthat a common stool is inconvenient to carry. The folding stoolcomprises a stool face and four stool legs and is characterized in thatthe stool face is rectangular, the four stool legs are mounted at thefour corners below the stool face, a horizontal cross rod is connectedbetween the central positions of two stool legs on the same side, aconnection strip is arranged between the two cross rods, the stool legsare connected with the stool face through movable hinges, and thedistance between the positions of the two movable hinges on one side andthe long side of the stool face is equal to the width of one stool leg.The folding stool has the characteristics of simple structure andportability, thereby having high application and popularization value.

Granted European patent EP 2 028 974 (FRITSCH et al) discloses afoldable rest support comprising: a frame including at least foursections articulated together about an axis to which is associated abearing surface, two of said sections constituting the suspension arms,two other of said sections constituting the feet of said support presenteach one a truncated V shape, and in that said bearing surface linkssaid sections constituting the suspension arms in order to at leastpartially covering at least one of the side faces of said foldablesupport.

Chinese utility model CN 2 080 784 (JIANBAO) relates to a portable chaircapable of being folded into a handbag shape, which discloses a chairfor daily and traveling use. The utility model is folded in the simplestcross structure and is combined with the appearance function of ahandbag into a whole. The utility model has the characteristics of smallstructure, light weight, convenient suspension, portability andconvenient manufacture, transportation and use. When the chair isunfolded, the part for containing objects is below a seat, and anopening is in the front, which is favorable to store, fill in and takeoff objects. The chair can be used as a stool by detaching a chair back.The utility model is a portable chair for travel and family life.

SUMMARY

According to the present invention there is provided a seating devicecomprising: a body providing an integral handle and a substantiallyplanar seat pad, which body is arranged with two short sides and twolong sides, leg members at peripheral locations of the body adjacentboth the long and the short sides; which members are extended out fromthe body to provide support for elevation of the seat pad.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the seatingdevice with leg members extended;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 withleg members stowed;

FIG. 3 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 6A and 6B show side views of the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, respectively;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown inprevious Figures;

FIGS. 8A and 8B show plan views of the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1and 2, respectively;

FIG. 9 shows a view from underneath of the device with leg membersstowed; and

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C show isometric detail views of the embodimentshown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some embodiments of the seating device, at least one back member mayextend from the body or a side or the seat pad, for example extending,pivoting, hinging, or folding out from below the seat pad. Such backmember may comprise a cover or lid for the leg members during storage,and a substantially orthogonal extension when folded out or deployed,suitable to provide a seat back. Such seat back may be locked orlockable in use. Such back member typically has a hinge that is boltedon the side of the seat pad that when stored lays under the leg members.And when used said back member swings out and upward to create a seatback. In this way a seat back is provided to ensure the device is as tomake a fully functioning chair.

Preferably the members substantially retract within the body.Advantageously the leg members are arranged at corners in order toprovide preferable footprint size commensurate with body dimensions.

In this way a lightweight seating device is provided for users whoexpect to be forced to stand for some time in line and wish to beequipped with an easily portable seating solution. The deviceadvantageously compacts to dimensions defined by the body.

Preferably the body is formed from a plastics material such aspolyethylene or abs (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic.

Advantageously this allows the body to be injection moulded as asingle-shot piece to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Preferably in some embodiments the seat pad includes or consists of aresiliently deformable cushion part, for example inset gel or fabricpadding.

Preferably the handle is arranged along one long side.

Preferably the handle comprises an indentation or lacuna in the side.

Advantageously the handle is provided on the long side in a location toaid in balanced carrying of the device when in a stored attitude, forexample wherein the handle is equidistant the seat pad face and opposingfaces, or arranged on one of the faces such that weight of the device isadvantageously biased to angle away from the user during carrying.

Advantageously this allows the handle to occupy no more space thanabsolutely necessary, and ensures that the handle does not extend beyondthe pad's footprint.

Preferably the device comprises two leg members, however in furtherembodiments four such leg members may be envisaged. Typically howeverthe leg members comprise four legs provided on two continuous U shapedlengths.

In some embodiments the leg members may include wheels or castors so asto allow movement of the seat in use, advantageously for example as aqueue moves. Such wheels may be sprung in other embodiments, for exampleto retract when subject to weight, advantageously in order that a seateduser is not unstable.

Such wheels allow the device to move while a user is sitting down, sothat the user can move with the device without having to stand up.

In preferred embodiments the wheels are embedded into the flat metal legmembers which are in contact with the ground.

In some further embodiments the members may comprise panels, for examplearranged parallel along short sides so as to fold out, or other foldableor extendable arrangement such as telescopic or concertina.

Advantageously the form of the U shape leg members allows superiorlongitudinal and lateral strength leading to lighter weightconstruction.

Preferably the two leg members are comprised of three orthogonal sidesjoined at two joints and having two ends arranged to connect with thebody. The preferred embodiments comprise two such leg members, with onedescribing a narrower U than the other, wherein the leg members arehinged at the same or similar hinge points of the body.

Preferably the leg members are able to fold in or stow simultaneously,wherein the leg members nest or occupy two halves of the underside ofthe seat pad. In preferred embodiments one of the leg members foldswithin the footprint of the other, so as to provide maximal elevationfor the seat pad for minimal storage space.

Advantageously therefore only two leg members need to be folded out,making the device simple and quick to erect. Advantageously in additionor the alternative the legs or leg members are enabled to have greaterintegral strength wherein the continuous nature of the member militatesagainst buckling and spreads any forces.

Preferably the ends are hinged at hinges adjacent corners between thelong and short sides, namely a hinge in each corner.

Preferably the members fold into the body and against a reverse side ofthe seat pad, when not in use.

Preferably therefore the body includes a depending or extendingperipheral rim about the seat pad, into which or behind which themembers are folded. In this way the body ideally comprises a depthequivalent to greater than the width of the members and snag hazards arereduced.

Advantageously therefore the body provides a self-contained unit from aplurality of viewpoints with a depth that is less than the length orwidth and in this way the device is easier to store and transport, inparticular wherein the handle allows the device to be carried in astored attitude alongside a user's legs.

Preferably the seat pad is texturised or comprises raised and loweredparts, so as to advantageously provide a comfortable non-clip surfacethat additionally or alternatively is not liable to capture and transfermoisture to the user.

Preferably the sides intersect at corners, which corners are rounded,radiused or arcuate.

Preferably the body has rounded, radiused or arcuate edges, rim andcorners.

Advantageously the device is thereby arranged so as to avoid snagging,damaging, inconvenience or discomfort during carrying.

Preferably the members have a bias or lock mechanism to avoid themembers folding out without authorisation or action from the user. Suchmechanism may comprise a clip, detent mechanism, friction or tolerancefit, displaceable catch or magnetic portion. Preferably the lockmechanism is automatic and reversible, advantageously minimising effortfor the user.

For example securing nodules or raised studs on the members may securethe members in place when stowed, wherein resiliently deformablematerial of the body deforms to accept the studs past, and reforms toprevent return with deforming force.

Preferably the members include feet, stoppers or grips, wherein suchfeet come into contact with a subordinate surface when the members arein use. Such feet are preferably made from resiliently deformablematerial such as rubber, silicone or other elastomer.

Advantageously the feet act to accommodate any irregularities insubordinate surfaces, and allow usage of two U-shaped leg members in agreater spread of environments.

In some embodiments the leg members comprise continuous lengths, havingno ends; so as to increase structural rigidity, wherein hinges aresituated at one or two intermediate points on the members.

In some embodiments the leg members comprise continuous shapes, withmore than one format of curvature, for example wherein the member is aW-shape.

Preferably the ends of the leg members rotate on the body at pivotsprovided on shoulders, wherein the sides are scalloped between shouldersso as to increase structural strength at the shoulders withoutcompromising on weight and/or material costs.

The shoulders thereby provide increased structural support suitable forrepeated hinging as well as a brace for folded out members. Walls insidethe shoulders minimise the legs pushing out further than desired.

The shoulders advantageously allow the user to reach through (the longsides in particular) to reach the member(s), and act thereby asadditional or supplemental handles or handgrips when the members arestored.

In some embodiments a carrying strap is included, or lanyard attachmentpoint(s).

In some embodiments the members are spring-loaded to extend, and in someembodiments a catch or strap is provided to hold the members in.

Preferably the leg members are bent strip material, advantageouslyproviding minimal chance of buckling in inappropriate directions. Suchmaterial may be powder-coated, aluminium, steel, titanium or othermaterial with high tensile strength.

With reference to the figures, the device provides a portable,expandable seating option for a user at places such as theme parks oranywhere there may be a queue or line.

The body 10 is formed of a single piece moulding, arranged withsubordinate ribs 11 and struts 12 so as to provide transverse andlongitudinal rigidity within a lower face 13 and providing built-upshoulders 4 arranged to add additional support to the leg members 2,3during load-bearing. Ribs 11 particularly support a central fannedsection 14 below the seat pad 1 centre.

The seat pad 1 is texturised to comprise raised and lowered parts, so asto provide a comfortable non-slip surface not liable to capture andtransfer moisture to the user's behind. The body has radiused corners 8so as to present a snag-free organic form when collapsed. The bodycomprises a seat pad 1, an underside, four corners and four sides. Thesides have scallops 5 between the corners, so as to minimise weight andmaximise structural strength. The seat pad reaches to the body'speriphery along the shorter sides, and is concave or sunkentransversely, so as to accommodate spread of a user's posterior withmaximal comfort, including concave shaping across two axes.

The leg members are formed of two U shaped sections of bent metal oralloy, formed in flat sections and bent to shape during manufacture.Ideally the U shape is shaped to bias to open, wherein the leg membersare biased to remain on the hinges and ideally against the body instowage.

The leg members have radiused corners 7 for strength and ease ofassembly, and radiused ends 15, in order that the ends are enabled tofreely rotate and remain close to the shoulder or body at all times.

Sheet metal leg members may in some further embodiments be supplementedby braces for additional support if the forces applied to the seat padare envisaged to be too large. Some embodiments may have fold out, orhinged or braces which may clip under the members to support.

The leg members are angled when extended out, so as to extend beyond thefootprint beyond the seat pad, so as to brace the seat pad, and directdownwards force outwards therefrom.

With particular reference to FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C, the leg membersinclude a lacuna 20 which receives a bar 101 within the shoulder, whichbar is arranged vertically in order that the face 100 prevents rotationclockwise, avoiding damage to the seat pad or shoulder. Secondarily thebar prevents rotation beyond the defined angle for full extension byimpacting face 1000 under or after counterclockwise rotation. Such facescomprise rotation blocks.

Slot 18 is a locking mechanism into which the bar locates under pressureor sliding force towards the slot 18 or downwards in use, at which pointthe locating stud 19 friction or tolerance fits into the shoulder or adepression in the shoulder so as to consolidate position of the legmember. To release the user will pull the member to release the bar fromthe slot and the stud from the shoulder, and rotate to store (clockwisein the pictured embodiment of FIG. 10A).

The studs are arranged to click into place through deformable resilienceof materials involved, particularly the shoulders or body, in this waylimiting chance of the members displacing and the device collapsing.

Shoulders 4 in the body act to support the force transference andstrengthen the body against deformation as a result of these forces. Inaddition or the alternative the body is provided with a moulded formthat includes bracing struts or ribs arranged to brace the body anddisperse forces across the body in use.

A locking mechanism is also incorporated for locking the leg members inwhen collapsed, folded in or stowed. Ridges 9 tolerance fit intoresiliently deformable tabs 21.

A single handle 6 allows the device to be transported with ease althougha carry strap may also be incorporated. The handle comprises a roundedelongate lacuna in the seat pad through which the user can reach tocarry the device either over the members or body.

In some other embodiments the lacuna is both in the seat pad and thebody sidewall 16, or in other embodiments just the sidewall. In yetfurther embodiments the lacuna may be for example in an extending loopfrom the sidewall.

The lacuna has rounded edges to ensure carriage of the device is notuncomfortable. In some further embodiments the body may be moulded toprovide a rounded and/or widened edge for contact with the user's hand.The scallops 5 further scallop in to augment the shoulders and provideconcave sides for comfort purposes.

In the pictured embodiment the user is envisaged to primarily gripthrough the lacuna and around the leg members during use of the handle.In this way a large surface area is provided to grip.

The leg members fold in or stow simultaneously, wherein the leg membersoccupy two halves of the underside of the seat pad and nest togetherwhen stowed with leg stowed parallel alongside one another.

In other embodiments the hinges comprise holes at the shoulders or inshoulder walls upstanding from the body, and projecting barrels on themember ends. The leg members, and in part the shoulders, supplysufficient deformability to deform to allow the barrels to place intothe holes and resist return or displacement, whilst allowing the barrelto turn. The barrels pass through two spaced apart walls of theshoulder, in order that the hole(s) do not bear excessive weight.

Nylon® washers may be further used at the hinges, aiding inself-lubrication of the rotation needed for the seat to fold out.

Rubber stoppers provide a gripped and/or stable support base to themembers. In addition or the alternative the stoppers accommodate avariety of subordinate surfaces. Some embodiments may include silicone,elastomer, felt or other resiliently deformable material stoppers.

Width of the seat pad is approximately 17 inches, depth around 12 inchesand height with the members folded out is approximately 16 inches.Embodiments may range from size ranging from 8 inches height to 20inches height when in use.

Various semi-translucent mouldings of body may be produced to offer theuser product variation. The seat pad is formed in single-shot mouldedpolyethylene and the members are inserted into it at manufacture, retailor use.

The underside of the body includes inner shoulders 17 and outershoulders 4 for inner and inner and outer leg members. The innershoulders are standalone and are braced by a bracing base to the middle,with the outer shoulder situated comparatively nearer to the corners,and braced by a bracing base to the periphery.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will beappreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentionedembodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly itwill be understood that any features described in relation to anyparticular embodiment may be featured in combinations with otherembodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, toinclude variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and mannerof operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obviousto one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention, with variation and implementation obviousand clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expertknowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modificationsand changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention as set out in the accompanying claims.

1. A seating device comprising: a body providing an integral handle anda substantially planar seat pad, which body is arranged with two shortsides and two long sides, leg members at peripheral locations of thebody adjacent both the long and the short sides; which members areextended out from the body to provide support for elevation of the seatpad.
 2. (canceled)
 3. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein thehandle is arranged along one long side of the body.
 4. A seating deviceaccording to claim 3 wherein the handle comprises a lacuna into thebody.
 5. A seating device according to claim 1 further comprising twoleg members.
 6. A seating device according to claim 5 wherein the legmembers are arranged to nest.
 7. A seating device according to claim 1wherein the leg members are bent strip material.
 8. A seating deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein ends of the leg member(s) rotate on thebody at pivots provided on or at shoulders.
 9. A seating deviceaccording to claim 8 wherein the sides are scalloped between shoulders.10. (canceled)
 11. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein theextended leg members locate into position consolidation slots underdownward urging.
 12. A seating device according to claim 1 wherein theleg members include feet.
 13. A seating device according to claim 1wherein the leg members include wheels.
 14. A seating device accordingto claim 13 wherein the wheels are sprung.
 15. A seating deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein the leg members have a bias or lockmechanism to avoid the members folding out without authorisation oraction from the user.
 16. A seating device according to claim 15 whereinthe lock mechanism is automatic and reversible.
 17. A seating deviceaccording to claim 16 wherein securing studs on the leg members securethe leg members in place when stowed, wherein resiliently deformablematerial of the body deforms to accept the studs past.
 18. A seatingdevice according to claim 1 wherein the body includes a depending orextending peripheral rim about the seat pad, into which or behind whichthe members are folded.
 19. A seating device according to claim 1wherein the body comprises a depth equivalent to greater than the depthof the leg members.
 20. A seating device according to claim 1 whereinthe leg members are hinged at hinges adjacent corners between the longand short sides, namely a hinge in each corner.
 21. (canceled) 22.(canceled)
 23. (canceled)
 24. A seating device according to claim 1wherein at least one back member provides a seat back in use.
 25. Aseating device according to claim 24 wherein the back member(s)provide(s) a cover over the leg members in storage.
 26. (canceled)